NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: Kansas PG Tyshawn Taylor

As part of WEEI.com’s coverage of the 2012 NBA draft, we are profiling all players considered likely candidates to be drafted June 28. The Celtics own three picks: 21, 22 (from the Thunder in the Kendrick Perkins trade) and 51.

What he brings: Taylor has the size and athleticism to be successful at the NBA level but struggles with decision-making, ball-handling and hitting his outside shot with consistency.

Over four years at Kansas, Taylor steadily improved his perimeter shooting, but questions about his ability to run an offense and take care of the ball will hurt his draft stock, according to ESPN’s Chad Ford, who writes, ‘If Taylor showed any consistency as a decision-maker running the Jayhawks, he’d go 20 to 30 spots higher in the draft.’

However, his athleticism, scoring ability and willingness to play hard suggest he’ll likely find a taker in the first round and could end up becoming a valuable scoring threat off the bench.

Defensively, Taylor shows the both the tools and toughness to successfully defend the point guard position at the NBA level.

Where the Celtics could get him: Taylor is projected to be drafted late in the first round, but given the emergence of Avery Bradley, it’s unlikely the C’s will be interested.

Notes: Taylor, who attended St. Anthony High School in New Jersey, appeared in the 2009 film “The Street Stops Here,” a documentary about renowned coach Bob Hurley. That same year, Taylor lead USA Basketball in points and assists on the way to winning the 2009 FIBA U-19 World Championship.